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Joshua Riibe said he had ventured into the sea with Konanki during their time at the beach when a powerful wave hit them both, sweeping them out into the rough waters
Indian-origin woman Sudiksha Konanki missing in Dominican Republic (Photo: Social Media)
The 22-year-old man from Iowa, identified as the ‘person of interest’ in the case of missing Indian-American student Sudiksha Konanki, claimed he saved her from drowning in the rough seas.
In a new statement to investigators, Joshua Riibe said he had ventured into the sea with Konanki during their time at the beach when a powerful wave hit them both, sweeping them out into the rough waters.
“A big wave came and hit us both and as the water returned, it came back and swept us out to sea,” Riibe explained in his account to the authorities.
He further revealed that the beach was empty at the time, and their cries for help went unanswered. Riibe described how he tried desperately to get Konanki back to the shore, but the rough conditions made it incredibly difficult, according to a report by the New York Post.
“It took me a long time to get her out; it was difficult. I was a lifeguard in the pool, not in the sea. I could have lost consciousness several times,” he added.
However, Riibe’s account has raised several questions. He stated that after the incident, he believed Konanki had gone back into the sea to retrieve her belongings. He mentioned that he did not notice her actions as he had become sick after reaching the shore.
Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, disappeared on March 6 while vacationing at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with five friends.
Riibe was not part of the group of friends that Konanki had travelled with to the Dominican Republic. He is believed to have met the group while at the resort. Riibe’s background includes being a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota since 2023.
Investigators are now focusing on Riibe’s statement, especially as he has reportedly failed to answer some key questions, citing advice from his lawyer. This has added to the intrigue surrounding the case, and local authorities, in collaboration with US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are working hard to piece together the details.
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